Matching Grants Offered For Facade Improvements

February 21, 2002|By LEE FOSTER; Courant Staff Writer

VERNON — The Rockville Downtown Association is offering matching grants to local businesses for facade improvements.

The association has raised $3,000 to put toward such improvements as new signs, landscaping, awnings or fresh paint on the fronts of commercial buildings, association Director Luise Ernest said Wednesday.

Participating businesses would put up equivalent amounts to improve their exterior. Priority would be given to businesses in the Main Street corridor since ``that's the calling card'' for the area, she said.

``It can make a remarkable difference,'' Ernest said.

The association was formed to make the center attractive to businesses and the public.

The association's design committee has put together guidelines for acceptable signage and lighting. The guidelines and more information about the facade improvement program are available at the Rockville Downtown Association office, 55 W. Main St., or by calling 860-870-3561.

``After much cajoling'' by Ernest, Town Administrator Laurence Shaffer agreed to let the association move its offices to the ground floor of the vacant Citizens Block building next to town hall, Shaffer said this week.

The group has agreed that it would leave the Citizens Block if the town found a buyer for the building, which it owns. The downtown association will take over paying the insurance on the space.

The new location will increase the organization's visibility, Ernest said. The group can use the picture windows that face Central Park to promote local activities, and during events such as the July fireworks, the offices will be used as a ``command center'' for event organizers.

Some of the space will be adapted as a visitors center, with promotional material available from local groups, churches and businesses. Two handicapped-accessible bathrooms in the offices are available for public use, she said.

The town planning department will move from town hall into the second-floor offices now occupied by downtown association in the former civil court building, Shaffer said.